Runway

How many months a business can operate at its current burn rate before running out of money. More runway = more time to reach profitability or raise investment.

Runway is the single most important number for a pre-profitable startup. Knowing it precisely prevents being surprised by insolvency and informs every hiring and spending decision.

A founder calculates 8 months of runway. She immediately cuts non-essential spend, accelerates sales efforts, and starts fundraising conversations, giving herself the maximum time to secure the business.